Kerf cleaning attachment for coal cutters



April 23, 1935. .1. R. LAWSON KERF CLEANING ATTACHMENT FOR COAL CUTTERS Original Filed Feb. 25, 1933 JR.Lan 5an Patented Apr. 23, 1935 UNITED-"STATES KERF CLEANING 1,998,876 g ATTACHMENT ForeooA L j CUTTERS John R. Lawson, Denver, Colo.

Application Fehruary 25, issaiserialmissasu Itenewedlanuary 15, 1935 d clai ms'. "(01. 262-33) This invention relates to the class of coal cutting tools, particularly the type used in multiple for cutting a pillar of coal, and pertains partic ularly to an attachment for such device'for're- -moving. cuttings from the kerf formed by the cutter.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a coal cutter with means whereby during its reciprocatory movement while in operation the chips or cuttings which collect in the kerf behind the cutter will be swept out in bot directions of movement of the cutter so that no difiiculty will be encountered in withdrawing the cutter after the body has been cut to the desired depth, and to properly prepare the kerf for facilitating the removal of the coal so cut, by shooting or otherwise.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coal cutting unit with a pair of kerf cleaners which are pivotally connected therewith and which alternately trail the cutter and sweep through the kerf while extended in a direction substantially transversely of the path of movement of the cutter.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a coal cutting unit showing the kerf cleaners attached thereto, one of which is shown partly in section;

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation of the cutter and showing in elevation one or" the sweeps.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 indicates generally a cutting unit of the character with which the kerf cleaning sweeps are employed. This unit which constitutes the subject-matter for'application, Serial No. 524,354, filed March 21, 1931, now matured into Patent No. 1,892,844, dated January 3, 1933, is in the form of a relatively long, broad body having the head portion 2 extending longitudinally of one edge and in which the cutting teeth 3 are set, and the longitudinally extending laterally directed ribs or flanges 4 along the other or back longitudinal edge which flanges serve as runners for the support of the unit when the same is in ,operation.

Between the head portion 2 and'the runners 4 the body of the unit is of reduced thickness as 6 shown in Figure 2 and the body is hollow through this area from one end to the other as indicated at 5.

Through the hollow portion 5 of the cutter a link bar 6 is extended which projects at its ends 10 beyond the ends of the cutting unit and is apertured at each end as indicated at I to facilitate the connection of the unit with other similar units or with operating cables. 5

As shown each end of the body I is out at an 15 angle to form the end shoulders 8, which shoulders operate to limit the movement of the kerf cleaners or sweeps about to be dBSCIibGCL' Each cutting unit I has two of the kerf cleaners or sweeps, each of which is indicated generally by the numeral 9, attached thereto. Each of these sweeps comprises the elongated fiat blade I!) from one end of which extends the pair of arms H which, as shown, are in spaced parallel relation and have their side faces disposed in a plane at right angles to the planes of the faces of the blade. The central portion of each blade is extended inwardly between the arms I i as indicated at I2 and operates as a stop means for limiting the swinging movement of the sweep as will be hereinafter described.

Each of the sweeps is pivotally attached by means of a pin [3 to one end of the cutter body I on a line inwardly of the inner side of the'runners 4 and as shown the reduced central portion 35 of the cutter body positions between the arms of each sweep. It will thus be seen that the extended central portion l2 of each sweep will strike the inclined shoulder 8 across which it extends, when the sweep is swung to a' position where it extends longitudinally of the cutter or to the other and operative position where it is disposed substantially transversely of the cutter.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that when the cutter body I is being reciprocated across a body of coal and a kerf has been formed, one of the sweeps 9 will always trail the cutter while the other is positioned toextend transversely of the path of movement thereof and, extending from the rear edge of the cutter it will scrape out 50 the cuttings from the kerf which the cutter has made. Asthe width of the sweep blade is substantially the same as the kerf cut by the cutter teeth it will be readily apparent that a thorough cleaning of the kerf will be obtained each time the cutter is drawn therethrough. Upon the reversal of the direction of movement of the cutter the sweep previously trailing will shift to a position transversely of the cutter and the other sweep will swing around to extend longitudinally of the cutter and trail the same.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A cutting unit of the character described, comprising an elongated flat body having cutting teeth projecting from one longitudinal edge, the body being cut at each end to form rearwardly converging shoulders, a pair of sweep members each consisting of a blade and a pair of spaced parallel arms extending longitudinally from one end, each of said blades receiving the body of the cutter between its arms and adjacent a shoulder, pivotal means between the arms and the cutter body, and means coacting with the adjacent shoulder whereby each sweep is permitted limited swinging movement.

2. In a cutter of the character described, a body, teeth carried thereby and projecting from one longitudinal edge, means for connecting operating mechanism with two opposite edges of the body for reciprocating the same, and a pair of sweeps pivotally attached to the body adjacent to and projecting from the edge opposite that from which the teeth project and adapted to alternate in trailing the body.

3. In a cutter, a flat body, teeth carried thereby and projecting from one edge, means for connecting operating mechanism with two opposite edges of the body for facilitating reciprocation of the same, a pair of sweep members each pivotally attached at one end to the body adjacent the edge opposite that from which the teethproject, and means limiting the swinging movement of the sweeps whereby upon movement of the cutter in either of two directions one sweep will trail and the other will extend outwardly from the adjacent edge of the body.

4. In a cutter, a body having two longitudinal edges, teeth members projecting from one longitudinal edge, and a pair of elements pivotally attached to the body adjacent its other longitudinal edge and adapted one to trail the body and the other to swing to a position thereon transversely of the path of movement of the body as the latter is reciprocated.

JOHN R. LAWSON. 

